THE NEWS ftECORi
Editorial
Marshall's Generosity
Is Misguided
At the risk of sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge, we wuld sug
gest that Marshall's aldermen allowed their hearts to overrule
fiscal responsibility Monday night when they voted to give
$750 to support the revived Marshall Christmas pageant.
Don't get us wrong- we believe that the pageant is a fine
idea. We just don't think the town government should sub
sidize what has been a private sector effort to revive the
pageant. We won't bring the constitutionality of their action
into question, but it should be clear that Marshall cannot af
ford to make such a generous contribution.
With the town's water and sewer system continuing to run in
the red, the town's general fund will be hard pressed to make
up the difference needed to meet the town's bond obligations
and keep the system functioning.
In the near future, Marshall will have to replace many miles
of aging water lines, a project that will run into the millions
At Monday's meeting, the aldermen called for a meeting with
officials of the Farmers Home Administration to seek relief
from payments on the town's debt. How can Marshall plead
financial hardship if the town can afford $750 for a Christmas
pageant?
Marshall's revived Christmas Pageant is the result of the
hard work of many individuals. We would encoirage all
Madison Countians to join with us Friday and Saturday night
to watch the production. We just wish that the pageant's
organizers could have found another way to finance the pro
ject.
It's difficult to criticize the town's officials for their
generosity in funding the pageant, but the future of the county
seat's finances must take precedent over a Christmas
pageant.
To The Editor
Madison H.S. Band Rates Thanks
Dear Editor:
A special thanks to the Madison
High School band. Our family was
proud to attend the Tri -County Band
Clinic at Mountain Heritage H.S. on
Nov. 27. It was a great honor for our
students to participate in this clinic
under the direction of Ray Ba belay,
professor of music at Mars Hill Col
lege and Mike Robinson, director of
the Asheville H.S. band.
Our thanks go to Harry Overby for
giving our students this opportunity.
The Madison High Band seems to get
little recognition compared to other
activities in our county, but the
masterful job they did at Mountain
Heritage H.S. was a great tribute to
our county.
I want to thank the Madison High
School Band because they represent
one of the reasons that make us proud
to be residents of Madison County.
This group of young people are a
source of pride for our county and
should be given more recognition for
their hard work. They met the
challenge and performed with preci
sion. Thank you for an marvelous
evening of excellent music.
Richard N. Wilde
Marshall.
Look For "Made In The U.S.A."
Dear Editor:
"The (foreign) imports have just
totally disrupted the (textile and ap
parel) industry, and it looks like it
may disrupt North Carolina."
This quote, made by Charles Dunn,
executive director of the North
Carolina Textile Manufacturers
Association, appeared in the Dec. 2
issue of The Asheville Citizen Times.
The same article tells us that one-half
of all women 's and children's clothing
sold in the U.S. are foreign-made.
Shocking? Yes!
Let me share with you and your
readers my own personal experience
Circumstances beyond my control
necessitated my Christmas shopping
through mail order catalogues or
delegating that responsibility to
members of my family.
As my purchases arrived through
the mail, UPS or by personal
delivery, I have been chagrined,
shocked and horrified to find that ap
proximately 75 parent of the gifts I
will be giving this Christmas were
manufactured outside of the U.S. and
that I am aiding and abetting the
crippling our of national textile and
apparel industries.
Legislation passed by Coagrw
?
recently requires merchants to
display "Made In USA" labels on
American-made clothing beginning
on Dec. 24. Let us look for those labels
remembering that 35 textile plants in
North Carolina have been forced to
close since Oct. 1, leaving a total of
5,6*4 people unemployed.
We need look no further than Hot
Springs and the closing of the Blue
Ridge Shoe plant there to realize the
impact on our economy.
I wuld urge readers to examine
labels, remembering that those
"Made in Taiwan" and "Made in
Korea" labels may represent a
cheaper purchase price, but may also
mean inferior products. Can we af- -
ford to pay the price? Examine the
evidence. Remember, your purchase
of a foreign import means the km of
revenue to our American businesses
and eventually may result in the loss
of your Job or your neighbor's Job.
Let's make 1985 a year of label
reading. Examine each purchase you
plan from the standpoint of its origin
and manufacture and buy only
"Made In U.S.A.."
Mattee B. Mathbum
Marshall.
The News Record
Serving The People ? Madison County Sine# 1901
P.O. Box 369 ? Marshall, NX. 28753 ? (704)64?-2741
J
.
? ?
Heard And Seen
By POP STORY
V
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS GO UP
Electricians were busy Monday morning putting the
Christmas lights up along Main Street in Marshall, adding to
the Christmas spirit here. Many of the stores have decorated
their windows with attractive displays and several homes and
yards are aglow with Christmas lights and ornaments. Work is
continuing on the manger scene on the courthouse lawn for the
Christmas pageant which will be presented this Friday and
Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m.
Santa Claus is beginning to be seen up and down Main Street
during the afternoons, much to the delight of children and
adults. ? _ _ _
WALNUT GROWS
I was impressed Sunday when I decided to drive over to
Walnut and see where construction along U.S. 25-70 is pro
gressing. I am anxious to see the project completed. It has
been needed for many years.
Not only was I impressed with the highway, but it was the
first time lately that I have driven around Walnut, which has
grown in recent months and years. I was especially impressed
with the trailer park on Academy Street and the attractive
homes in the area. I also drove on several streets and was
amazed at the many new homes and beautiful yank.
As I approached the school building, it brougt back fond
memories of many years ago when I played my first high
school baseball game on the field adjacent to the school. I also
thought about the many exciting times I had in the school
auditorium which we used for basketball.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Walnut last Sunday and con
gratulate the fine people of Walnut on the pride they show in
making their homes and yards so attractive.
LAST REMINDER
This is the last issue prior to the Marshall Christmas
pageant which will be presented here this Friday and Satur
day nights at 7:30 p.m. Much interest and hard work has been
done to make this renewal of the pageant successful.
I urge you to make plans to attend this pageant on either or
both nights. It should be a night to remember.
Know Comment
&&K 1e
By JOSEPH GODWIN
For thoae who have lived
seriously considered the
? Ml
variety of people
Christmas is:
-A time when the innocent eyes of ra
nted children sparkle with ant
:ion and awe
-A tine to remember the
Zhristmsses of the deeply receded
rears, and thoae loved <
:?2 'Z? JiSjE
to write, all ;
never did. ?
-A time to sing off-key
Christmas carols we have sung off
key for as long as we can remember.
-A time to cook, serve, eat, enjoy,
and gain ten pounds on the beat of
traditional foods such as we have ap
a time to iait
hear Grandma say, My, |
you
-A time to read the Christmas story
ill the second chapter of Luke iad to
hear the pastor intone hit beat sor
"Tt Sift of to? Christ
A time to be very happy as you pot
?inpiy and too much with an ad
iOUf .
and call Umm
object! jifta,; without actually
ever yhat a ly n.
A m to nod? that the m
grown and to rit
hat happened to